Chapter 404: Encountering Wang Changguang

Ding Li found us a place to stay in Lao Cheng Qu.

It was his original home, long vacant and uninhabited.

We went to Ding Li's former home.

Lao Wai got out of the car and immediately started moving money into the house.

After I got out, I breathed in Zaocheng's air in big gulps.

A familiar scent went straight from my nostrils to my lungs.

This is my hometown,

the place I love most.

I really want to shout out loud,

I'm back.

Since Liu Shiru and the others are in Sijiucheng, I can now clearly feel that Zaocheng's air no longer has that oppressive quality.

After getting out of the car,

we rested a bit in the room,

I began assigning tasks.

I said to Ding Li, "Ding Li, first go to Shanghu and get a bag from the Rixin Guesthouse; you know the place."

Then drive to Qi He Kuang again, quietly inquire about Xiao Feng's situation; if you can meet her, that would be best—see if she knows any news about Shangguan Zhuren.

Ding Li replied, "Alright, Zhao Ge."

Ding Li left.

"Brother, what are we doing?" Shi Yong asked.

"We'll drive to the museum later for a stroll," I said.

"Why go to the museum?" Shi Yong asked.

"There's something that needs handling," I said.

"You go, I won't," Lao Wai boasted. "I'm a millionaire now. I can sit at home and enjoy."

"Lao Wai, you can spend the money, but you have to be careful not to burn the bag. It's still a critical time."

"If something happens to you in Zaocheng, no one will protect you," I warned Lao Wai.

"This is my territory; who am I afraid of? Rest assured, whatever happens to me is just about money and a few women for fun," Lao Wai said indifferently.

"Fine, we've agreed. Just go out for a bit and come back quickly," I ordered Lao Wai.

"Don't worry, Jianqiang, my body can run wherever, following you I'll have food, drink, and fun. If I keep running, is my brain full of water?" Lao Wai cursed.

I said nothing further,

Shi Yong and I rested in the room for a while, eating a little snack.

The two of us then went out.

Outside, heat waves rolled; June's sky was just beginning to get hot.

As soon as we left the compound,

Shi Yong said to me, "Brother, I'm uneasy about Lao Wai. This guy isn't tight‑lipped, his body isn't honest either. He might ruin our plans.

We really shouldn't have brought him back.

If you can't bring yourself to deal with him, leave it to me."

"I've thought about it. I really can't bring myself to act against Lao Wai. He's just about eating and playing. I believe he won't cause much trouble. Right now, only Kong Shi is here in Zaocheng.

We don't need to worry excessively."

Hearing me say that, Shi Yong said nothing more,

and flagged down a taxi,

telling the driver, "Take us to Zaocheng's museum."

The driver agreed and drove us to the museum in Zaocheng.

The Zaocheng museum is still in Lao Cheng Qu.

We soon arrived near the museum in Lao Cheng Qu.

After Shi Yong and I got out of the car,

Shi Yong whispered, "Brother, what are we doing here?"

"Just to see the treasure. Let's go buy tickets." I said nothing further.

Shi Yong bought two tickets,

and we entered the museum with the tickets.

The museum was built ages ago and was very old.

No one was looking around.

The two of us had just stepped onto the stairs.

As we were about to walk in, a short, thin man wearing glasses came toward us.

He looked at us as he approached,

"Hello, are you here to visit the museum? Need a guide? I'm Wang Changguang, happy to be your volunteer guide."

I didn't expect Wang Changguang to be here. Didn't he go to the countryside to write a village history? How is he back as a museum guide?

At that moment Wang Changguang also saw me and Shi Yong,

the instant he saw us, Wang Changguang shivered,

"Ah, you, Zhao Jianqiang, Shi Yong, you've scared me to death. What are you doing here?"

Wang Changguang finished speaking and twisted to run.

Shi Yong seized Wang Changguang with one hand,

"Brother‑in‑law, why are you running?"

"I must eradicate my relatives for a great cause," Wang Changguang said.

I originally intended to go into the museum, tell Shi Yong where the treasures are and what they look like, then have Shi Yong contact Xiao Wu and figure out a way to steal them out.

Now, meeting Wang Changguang here, he shouted again,

my plan is completely ruined.

You, Wang Changguang, what are you shouting about, still talking about eradicating relatives for a great cause.

I pulled Wang Changguang into my arms,

"Brother‑in‑law, I came to Zaocheng looking for you. Let's go."

"Ah, Zhao Jianqiang, you have ruined me," Wang Changguang struggled in my arms.

I saw the museum guard dozing off, and no one paid any attention to the struggling Wang Changguang.

So I carried Wang Changguang out of the museum.

Shi Yong also ran onto the street to hail a taxi.

I said to Wang Changguang viciously, "Wang Changguang, if you shout again, I'll kill you right now."

"Zhao Jianqiang, we have no grudges, on what grounds do you want to kill me," Wang Changguang said.

"Hmph, Wang Changguang, you don't know my temper? I don't spare any courtesy," I said, then prepared to cover Wang Changguang's mouth and nose with my hand.

Seeing that I was serious, Wang Changguang immediately said, "Zhao Jianqiang, if I stay silent, is that not okay? When we have matters, we speak about them; in broad daylight we can't act recklessly. Besides, we are relatives; I am your brother‑in‑law. Let go of me quickly."

Just then, Shi Yong hailed a taxi,

After I put Wang Changguang down,

"Brother‑in‑law, I've set you down, let's go. Come back with us."

"Where are we going?" Wang Changguang looked at me and Shi Yong with terrified eyes.

"We're going to find a place to eat," I said.

Shi Yong opened the taxi door,

I got Wang Changguang into the taxi.

We quickly arrived at a restaurant and ordered a private room.

I told Shi Yong to order drinks and dishes.

Wang Changguang and I sat down; I took out a cigarette and tossed it to Wang Changguang,

"Brother‑in‑law, I'm not lying to you, I said I'd treat you to a meal, I really am treating you."

"That's more like it. Aren't you a fugitive now? How dare you still appear in Zaocheng," Wang Changguang said, taking the cigarette.

"Brother‑in‑law, don't you understand me yet?"

"What does a fugitive fear? I've been in prison before. Hmph, they can't catch me. We haven't seen each other for months; how have you been these days?" I asked.

"Sigh, it's hard to explain in a word," Wang Changguang took a drag of his cigarette.

At this moment, Shi Yong brought the drinks and dishes.

The table was quickly filled.

Shi Yong poured wine for Wang Changguang to the brim.

I lifted my wine glass,

"Brother‑in‑law, you never imagined in a dream that you'd be drinking with Shi Yong and me, right?"

"I never imagined it in a dream, nor would I want to. You know, after the Da Heng Group incident,"

"You became a fugitive, you ran away, but what about us?"

"Your sister became a key investigation target."

"They go to our house every few days to spot‑check the situation."

"Fortunately the division between me and you is fairly clear; otherwise even I would have to go to prison."

"Sigh, what the hell are we doing?"

"From Beishan to Niushiling to Lanling, being relatives with you has never given me a single peaceful day," Wang Changguang complained.

Listening to Wang Changguang's complaint,

I took a sip of wine,

as long as they haven't captured my sister, that's fine.

It's just a matter of going to my sister's house to investigate, to see if she knows my situation.

Just as Wang Changguang said, the relationship between us isn't very close.

Otherwise it would cause great harm to my sister's family.